Simeon coach held on $300K bail in sexual assault, abuse of teens

A volunteer coach at Simeon Career Academy High School is charged with sexual assult.

A volunteer coach at Simeon Career Academy High School is charged with sexual assult.

Deanese Williams-Harris and Steve SchmadekeTribune reporters

An assistant coach at Simeon Career Academy High School was ordered held in lieu of $300,000 bail after being accused of sexually assaulting and abusing several teenage girls.

Gerald Gaddy, 42, of the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue, was charged with one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13 to 18 in a position of authority, criminal sexual assault by someone in authority and aggravated battery in a public place, police said.

The charges stem from at least two incidents on Jan. 1 and June 25 that occurred in the 8100 block of South Vincennes Avenue, where the school is located, police said. Prosecutors said the victims are three girls who are members of the team that Gaddy coaches.

Prosecutors said at bond court this afternoon that during the past school year, a 16-year-old student told school officials that Gaddy had fondled her buttocks and made comments about her figure. He then repeatedly asked the girl to become his girlfriend, said prosecutors.

One of the victims, who was 17, said she had sex with Gaddy on his desk in his office. That victim had told others that she was dating an older man, said prosecutors.

In June, a 15-year-old girl accused Gaddy of squeezing her buttocks. The school launched an investigation into the abuse after the allegations were made, said prosecutors.

Gaddy's public defender said he lives with his girlfriend and has an associates degree in art. Gaddy is listed as the freshman wrestling coach on the school's website.